Piloting your hyper-space fighter prototype, the Vic
Viper, you must protect the planet Gradius from the invading Bacterion
army.
Your ultimate goal is to destroy the Bacterion super-fortress Xaerous.
But first you must fly your craft through enemy territory and defeat
countless war ships and enemy devices.
Collect power capsules from defeated enemies to boost your craft with
various upgrades, which will increase your odds of completing your
mission.